God, in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to move from labor to
reward our beloved Coach Joe Gilliam, Sr. on Wednesday, November 14, 2012.

Tribute

Coach Joe Gilliam
Sr., thank you for your life's work, you are indeed a treasure

Everyone you've
touched is blessed because of the time God allowed us to spend together

Known and
respected by many in the game

A defensive
genius, many would proclaim

A
disciplinarian, author, intellectual and wise

Your position as
a role model changed, for the better, many lives

Your genuine
compassion for young people showed everyday

You showed you
cared through your actions, more than what you'd say

You told
recruits, "We're not just going to care about you for the next four years...we're
going to care about you for the next forty."

It was more than
their football skills that you were after

This shows the
pure essence of your character

And let's not
forget, you were a champion

Four undefeated
seasons and seven national titles when some said, it couldn't be done

So many stand on
your shoulders and are where they are because of you

That is why your
legacy will stand forever and your memory will continue

Always in our
hearts, we will never forget

The great Joe
Gilliam, Sr. and what you meant

We, the Tennessee State University Athletics family, wish the
family to know that it is with deep sadness and a sense of great loss that we gather
to offer a proper Big Blue goodbye to our beloved and respected Joe Gilliam, Sr.

Whereas, Coach Joe Gilliam, Sr. was a faithful husband, father
and grandfather who instilled in his family the virtues of discipline,
fortitude, honor and respect.

Whereas, Coach Joe Gilliam, Sr. was devoted to revolutionizing
the game of football and building champions.

Whereas, Coach Joe Gilliam, Sr. was revered and respected for
the development of his Fundamental Camp to teach and reach underprivileged
youth of the Nashville Community.

Whereas, Coach Joe Gilliam, Sr., whose loss we will mourn, we
are consoled by the words of Jesus who said, in John 14, "Let not
your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's
house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to
prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again, and receive you unto myself; that were I am, there ye may be also."

Therefore be it resolved that on this day, Monday, November 19,
2012, we support and embrace Coach Joe Gilliam Sr.'s loving family by
demonstrating our love for him to you.

We know dear loved ones of Coach Joe Gilliam, Sr. that the depth
of your sorrow is deep and that you are sad to see him go. But be mindful and recognize
that our loss is Heaven's Gain.

Life Is A Journey

Birth is a
beginning and death a destination
And life is a journey:
From childhood to maturity and youth to age;
From innocence to awareness and ignorance to knowing;
From foolishness to desecration and then perhaps to wisdom.
From weakness to strength or from strength to weakness
and often back again;
From health to sickness and we pray to health again.
From offense to forgiveness
from loneliness to love
from joy to gratitude
from pain to compassion
from grief to understanding
from fear to faith.
From defeat to defeat to defeat
until looking backwards or ahead
We see that victory lies not
at some high point along the way

but in having
made the journey
step by step
a sacred pilgrimage.
Birth is a beginning and death a destination
And life is a journey;